Portable apparatus for storing water and melting frozen water

ABSTRACT

Portable apparatus for storing liquids and melting frozen liquids using solar radiation is provided. A thermally conductive vessel is at least partially enclosed within a thermally insulative case. The case is configured to transmit incident solar radiation to the vessel. The vessel is configured to absorb incident solar radiation, and conduct heat generated thereby to its contents. An insulating and solar radiation transmissive gap is provided between the vessel and the case.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to portable apparatus for storing water.Embodiments of the invention provide apparatus for melting frozen waterand storing water in liquid form in low temperature environments.

BACKGROUND

Liquid water can be difficult or impossible to find in high altitudelocations. This is because water evaporates quickly at high altitudesdue to the relatively low atmospheric pressure and the energy of solarradiation there. This is also because temperatures at high altitudelocations are often below the freezing temperature of water.

Individuals partaking in high altitude activities such as hiking andmountaineering are at risk of dehydration due to dry conditions at highaltitudes and physical exertion. Carrying water supplies to highaltitude locations is onerous, and water supplies are susceptible tofreezing at high altitudes unless stored in insulated containers. Forthis reason, it is common to obtain drinking water at high altitudes bymelting snow or ice, typically using a stove or fire. Using a stove orfire to melt snow or ice is onerous and inconvenient. Water melted fromsnow or ice must be consumed before it re-freezes.

Water storage vessels used in high altitude hiking and mountaineeringapplications must meet performance standards not required of vesselsused at lower altitudes and in less demanding applications. For example,water storage vessels used in high altitude hiking and mountaineeringapplications may experience impact shocks at temperatures below −20degrees Celsius. At this temperature, some materials known to be used inwater storage vessels are brittle, and prone to shattering. For anotherexample, cooperating parts of water storage vessels commonly used in lowaltitude applications may be susceptible to freeze-locking in highaltitude conditions. Such freeze-locking may render water within thesevessels inaccessible.

Literature in the general field of water storage vessels includes thefollowing references:

-   P. Lefferts, U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,306, Optical Ray Concentrator;-   Bond, U.S. Pat. No. 3,807,194, Thermodynamic Container;-   Tiede et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,272, Arctic Canteen;-   Crosser, U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,974, Chill Cylinder for Beverage    Containers;-   Padamsee, U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,778, Thermally Insulated Bottle and    Method of Assembly thereof;-   Liu, U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,244, Polycarbonate Double Walled Liquid    Holding Vessel;-   Guilford, III et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,656, Container for    Promoting Thermal Transfer;-   Kolowich, U.S. Pat. No. 7,934,537, Thermal Receptacle with Phase    Change Material;-   Palena et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,145, Rechargeable Self-Heating    Food Container;-   Thadani, US 2007/0131638, Simplified Insulated Bottle;-   Grant, US 2008/0099493, Containers Having a Space for a Materials, a    Cooling Device, or a Heating Device; and-   Hemminger et al., US 2009/0283533, Thermodynamic Container.

The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations relatedthereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Otherlimitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill inthe art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

SUMMARY

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described andillustrated in conjunction with apparatus which are meant to beexemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In variousembodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have beenreduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to otherimprovements.

An aspect of the invention provides portable apparatus for storingliquid. The apparatus comprises a case and a vessel that is at leastpartially enclosed within the case. The case is at least partiallytransmissive of solar radiation. The vessel has greater thermalconductivity than the case. In some embodiments according to thisaspect, the vessel is more absorptive of solar radiation than the case.The vessel may be at least partially sealed within the case.

Another aspect of the invention provides portable apparatus for storingliquid in which the apparatus comprises a case comprising a hard,transparent plastic tube, a deformable plug sealing a first end of thetube, and a deformable collar sealing a second end of the tube. A metalvessel is at least partially enclosed within the case, with the vesselsealed against the collar. The vessel has a mouth accessible fromoutside the case communicating with the interior of the vessel.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above,further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to thedrawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings show non-limiting example embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to an exampleembodiment in a capped configuration.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the FIG. 1 apparatus in an uncappedconfiguration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective cutaway view of the FIG. 1 apparatus in thecapped configuration.

DESCRIPTION

Throughout the following description specific details are set forth inorder to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in theart. However, well known elements may not have been shown or describedin detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly,the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative,rather than a restrictive, sense.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show an apparatus 10 according to an exampleembodiment. In particular:

-   -   FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus 10 in a capped        configuration;    -   FIG. 2 is a perspective view of apparatus 10 in an uncapped        configuration; and    -   FIG. 3 is a perspective cutaway view of apparatus 10 in the        capped configuration.

Apparatus 10 comprises a vessel 12 that defines chamber 12A. Vessel 12is at least partially enclosed within a case 16. In the illustratedembodiment, case 16 comprises a tube 18, a plug 20 and a collar 22. Tube18 of the illustrated embodiment has circular cross-section; in otherembodiments, tube 18 may have other cross-sections (e.g., oval, square,etc.). Tube 18 need not have uniform cross-section over its length.

Tube 18 is closed at a first end (in the drawings, the bottom end) byplug 20. In the illustrated embodiment, plug 20 is stepped, such that ithas a first portion whose profile matches inner sidewall of tube 18 anda second portion whose profile matches the first end of tube 18.Advantageously, this configuration of plug 20 provides two interfacesbetween tube 18 and plug 20, namely interface 21A between the firstportion and the inner sidewall of tube 18 and interface 21B between thesecond portion and the first end of tube 18. Plug 20 may be bonded totube 18 on one or both of interfaces 21A and 21B by adhesive, heatbonding, or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, plug 20 comprises a recess 20A thatreceives a first end (in the drawings, the bottom end) of vessel 12.Vessel 12 is supported at its first end by plug 20. Recess 20A is shapedto laterally confine the first end of vessel 12. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, recess 20A is shaped to conform to the first endof vessel 12 (i.e., in the illustrated embodiment, vessel 12 hascircular cross-section at its first end and recess 20A is cylindrical).In some embodiments, recess 20A laterally confines the first end ofvessel 12 even though the shape of recess 20A does not match thecorresponding end of vessel 12. In some embodiments, vessel 12 issecured in recess 20A, such as by adhesive, snap-fit engagement, or thelike, for example.

Tube 18 is closed at a second end (in the drawings, the top end) againstvessel 12 by collar 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the radiallyoutward surface of collar 22 is stepped such that it has a first portionwhose profile matches inner sidewall of tube 18, a second portion whoseprofile matches the second end wall of tube 18, and a third portionwhose outer profile matches outer sidewall of tube 18. Advantageously,this configuration of collar 22 provides two interfaces between tube 18and collar 22, namely interface 23A between the first portion and theinner sidewall of tube 18 and interface 23B between the second portionand the second end wall of tube 18. Collar 22 may be bonded to tube 18on one or both of interfaces 23A and 23B by adhesive, heat bonding, orthe like.

Collar 22 defines an aperture 22C that receives a second end (in thedrawings, the top end) of vessel 12. In the illustrated embodiment, thesecond end of vessel 12 extends beyond the second end of case 16, suchthat a mouth 12B of vessel 12 is located outside of case 16. In otherembodiments, mouth 12B is located inside case 16 (e.g., the second endof vessel 12 may be co-terminus with the second end of case 16). Mouth12B of vessel 12 is threaded for cooperation with a vessel cap 14.

Advantageously, the multi-part structure of case 16 may provide improvedimpact resistance as compared with other structures. In someembodiments, plug 20 and collar 22 are relatively more susceptible toelastic deformation than tube 18 along radial or transverse directions.This relative susceptibility of plug 20 and collar 22 to deformation maypermit plug 20 and/or collar 22 to be deformed when transverse forcesdeform tube 18 (e.g., by causing at least part of tube 18 to deform fromits original cross-section). In some embodiments, the relativesusceptibility of plug 20 and collar 22 to radial or transversedeformation as compared to tube 18 prevents rupture of case 16 thatmight otherwise occur due to fracture of tube 18 (e.g., where plug 20and/or collar 22 exert normal force that prevents or limits deformationof tube 18 from its original cross-section) and/or due to separation oftube 18 from plug 20 and/or collar 22. In embodiments where plug 20and/or collar 22 extend past their respective ends of tube 18 andcomprise material that is relatively susceptible to deformation, theymay also absorb longitudinal impact forces, which might otherwisefracture tube 18.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inner surface of tube 18 is spacedapart from the outer surface of vessel 12 to define a gap space 24.Sealing all or part of vessel 12 inside case 16 so that gap space 24 isairtight may better insulate vessel 12 from ambient temperatures. In theillustrated embodiment, interfaces 21A and/or 21B between tube 18 andplug 20, interfaces 23A and/or 23B between tube 18 and collar 22, andthe interface between collar 22 and vessel 12 may be sealed so that gapspace 24 is airtight. Gap space 24 may comprise air or a vacuum, forexample. In embodiments where case 16 and gap space 24 insulate vessel12 from the ambient temperature outside case 16, the freezing of liquidwater in vessel 12 may be delayed when the ambient temperature outsidecase 16 is below the freezing temperature of water. In some embodiments,gap space 24 is filled with solid or liquid. Some embodiments do nothave gap space 24.

Insulation of vessel 12 from ambient temperatures may be enhanced wherecase 16 comprises thermally insulative material. In some embodiments,case 16 comprises material(s) having thermal conductivity less than oneor more of 1 W/(m·K), 0.5 W/(m·K), 0.25 W/(m·K), 0.1 W/(m·K), and 0.05W/(m·K). For example, plug 20 and collar 22 may comprise open cell orclosed cell foam (e.g., polyethylene foam, polyurethane foam, expandedpolystyrene, extruded polystyrene foam, foam rubber, and/or the like) orthe like, and tube 18 may comprise solid plastic or the like.

In the illustrated embodiment, vessel 12 may be insulated from theambient environment by case cap 26. When apparatus 10 is in the cappedcondition, case cap 26 abuts collar 22. Case cap 26 may comprisethermally insulating material, such as foam, for example. Where case cap16 comprises resiliently deformable material, such as foam, for example,case cap 26 may protect vessel cap 14, vessel 12 and/or case 16 fromimpact forces.

In the illustrated embodiment, case cap 26 is configured for releasablepress-on fitting engagement with vessel cap 14 and is tethered to case16. Press-on fitting engagement may permit a user whose hands are glovedor in mitts to remove case cap 26 easily. In other embodiments, case cap26 may be configured for different types of releasable engagement withvessel cap 14 (e.g., threaded, magnetic, etc.). Case cap 26 may beconfigured for releasable engagement with case 16, tube 18, collar 22,and/or vessel 12 (e.g., collar 22 and case cap 26 may comprisecooperating engagement features).

In the illustrated embodiment, apparatus 10 comprises bands 28 and 30,which span interfaces 21A, 21B and 23A, 23B between tube 18 and,respectively, plug 20 and collar 22. Bands 28 and 30 may form part ofand/or protect (e.g., against degradation caused by solar radiation,etc.) seals at the interfaces between tube 18, plug 20, collar 22 andvessel 12. Bands 28 and 30 may comprise material that is substantiallynon-transmissive of ultraviolet radiation. In a particular non-limitingexample embodiment, bands 28 and 30 comprise black nylon straps. In someembodiments, bands 28 and 30 comprise a coating (e.g., of paint, stain,epoxy, etc.).

Apparatus 10 also comprises an optional carry strap 32. Strap 32 passeson the inside of tube 18 and extends out the ends of tube 18 betweenplug 20 and collar 22. Strap 32 may be fastened to the inside wall oftube 18, such as by adhesive, for example. Loops 32A and 32B are formedat the ends of strap 32. Strap 32 may comprise a nylon strap, forexample. One or more carry straps may be provided to apparatus 10 inother ways. For example, in some embodiments, separate straps areprovided at each end of tube 18.

In some embodiments, apparatus 10 is configured for melting frozen waterinside vessel 12 using solar radiation. More particularly, case 16 andgap space 24 may be configured to transmit solar radiation to vessel 12,and vessel 12 may be configured to convert incident solar radiation intoheat energy and to conduct this heat energy to chamber 12A. Inembodiments where apparatus 10 is so configured, snow or other forms offrozen water (e.g., ice chips, etc.) inserted into chamber 12A throughmouth 12B may be melted when apparatus 10 is exposed to solar radiation(e.g., by being strapped to the outside of a pack during a hike orclimb).

Solar radiation that is not reflected or absorbed by tube 18 passes intocase 16, where it may interact with vessel 12 and be converted to heatenergy. In some embodiments, tube 18 comprises material that issubstantially non-absorptive and non-reflective of at least somewavelengths of solar radiation. For example, tube 18 may be, at least inpart, transparent and/or translucent (i.e., substantially non-absorptiveof radiation in the visible spectrum). In some embodiments, tube 18comprises material that at 3.2 mm thickness transmits more than 85% ofincident radiation over the visible spectrum (390 nm to 750 nm). In someembodiments, tube 18 comprises material that at 3.2 mm thicknesstransmits more than 85% of incident radiation over the spectrum from 400nm-1100 nm. In some embodiments tube 18 is between 1 mm (0.04 inches)and 5 mm (0.2 inches) thick. In some embodiments tube 18 is between 2 mm(0.08 inches) and 3 mm (0.12 inches) thick. In a particular exampleembodiment, tube 18 is 2.54 mm (0.1 inches) thick.

Preferably, tube 18 comprises material that, in addition to beingsubstantially non-absorptive and non-reflective of at least somewavelengths of solar radiation, is also thermally insulative, durableand lightweight. Non-limiting examples of materials that tube 18 maycomprise include:

polycarbonate;

polyurethane;

polymethyl methacrylate;

polystyrene;

polypropylene;

fluorinated ethylene propylene; and

the like.

Tube 18 may comprise stabilizers to inhibit degradation due to exposureto ultraviolet radiation. For example, tube 18 may comprise polyurethanehaving a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) added to inhibitdegradation due to exposure to solar radiation.

Solar radiation incident on vessel 12 may be absorbed and converted toheat energy, which may be conducted through vessel 12 to the contents ofchamber 12A. The efficiency with which solar radiation incident onvessel 12 is applied to heat the contents of chamber 12A is greaterwhere vessel 12 is:

-   -   more thermally conductive (e.g., so that a greater proportion of        heat energy arising from absorption of incident solar radiation        is conducted to chamber 12A),    -   more absorptive of incident solar radiation (e.g., so that a        greater proportion of incident solar radiation is converted to        heat energy) and conversely less reflective of solar radiation        (e.g., so that a smaller proportion of incident solar radiation        is reflected), and    -   less thermally emissive (e.g., so that a smaller proportion of        heat energy arising from absorption of incident solar radiation        is radiated into and/or through gap space 24).

In some embodiments, vessel 12 comprises material that, as compared withtube 18, absorbs a greater proportion of incident solar radiation and/orhas greater thermal conductivity. Vessel 12 may comprise material and/orfeatures that promote or provide one or more of relatively highabsorptivity, relatively high thermal conductivity and relatively lowemissivity.

In some embodiments, vessel 12 comprises material having thermalconductivity greater than one or more of 120 W/(m·K), 180 W/(m·K), 200W/(m·K), and 400 W/(m·K). Non-limiting examples of materials that vessel12 may comprise include:

aluminium,

copper,

alloys incorporating either of the foregoing,

other metals, and

the like.

Vessel 12 may comprise an impact extruded aluminium beverage bottle ofthe type made by Exal Corporation of Youngstown, Ohio, or a re-usablealuminium bottle of the type made by SIGG USA Inc. of Stamford, Conn.,for example.

In some embodiments, vessel 12 comprises an outer layer of material thatpromotes absorption of solar radiation. For instance, an outer surfaceof vessel 12 may comprise a layer of material having low reflectivity(e.g., having solar reflectance (or albedo) less than one or more of20%, 15%, 10% and 5%), such as material which provides darkly coloreddiffuse outer surface. Such a layer may be applied as a coating bydying, staining, painting, glazing, anodizing, plating, powder coating,or the like, for example.

By way of example, in some embodiments vessel 12 comprises a black dyedmatte anodized finish having solar reflectance of about 11%. This may becompared with solar reflectance of about 60% for polished stainlesssteel and about 44% for brushed stainless steel.

In some embodiments, an outer surface of vessel 12 is textured topromote absorption of solar radiation (e.g., by increasing theprobability of that reflected light is reflected back onto the surface,rather than away from the surface). For example, an outer surface ofvessel 12 may comprise a surface that is rough. Texture may be appliedto surfaces of vessel 12 by machining, abrading, media blasting,mechanical pitting, chemical pitting, polishing, etching, coating,and/or like processes.

In some embodiments, a surface of vessel 12 comprises a selectivesurface which exhibits an advantageous combination of high absorptionfactor and low emissivity. Non-limiting examples of selective surfacesthat may be used in vessel 12 include:

-   -   anodic cobalt,    -   black sulphide,    -   black chromium;    -   Thurmalox™ coating manufactured by Dampney Company of Everett,        Mass.;    -   CrystalClear™ coatings manufactured by Thermafin Holding, LLC of        Jacksonville, Fla.; and    -   the like.

Preferably any coating applied to vessel 12 does not unduly interferewith conduction of heat generated by absorption of solar radiation tothe contents of chamber 12A. Where an exterior surface of vessel 12 iscoated with a material having lower thermal conductivity than thematerial of vessel 12, it may be preferable that the coating is thin.

The size of gap space 24 relative to vessel 12 and tube 18 can affectthe performance of apparatus 10 in melting frozen water using solarradiation. In general, a larger gap space may provide better insulationof vessel 12 from ambient conditions outside tube 18. However, where thesize of gap space 24 is increased by decreasing the cross-section ofvessel 12, the surface area of vessel 12 available for absorbing solarradiation is decreased, which may lead to less heat being provided tothe contents of chamber 12A. Also, where the size of gap space 24 isincreased by increasing the cross-sectional area of tube 18, theeffective size and mass of apparatus 10 is also increased, which maymake apparatus 10 less convenient to carry.

In some embodiments where vessel 12 and tube 18 have cylindrical crosssection, the ratio of the outside diameter of vessel 12 to the insidediameter of tube 18 is between 0.75 and 0.9. In some embodiments wherevessel 12 and tube 18 have cylindrical cross section, the ratio of theoutside diameter of vessel 12 to the inside diameter of tube 18 isbetween 0.8 and 0.85. In a particular example embodiment, the ratio ofthe outside diameter of vessel 12 to the inside diameter of tube 18 is0.83.

In some embodiments, an outer surface of vessel 12 is spaced apart froman opposed inner surface of tube 18 by one or more of: at least 0.5inches (1.27 centimeters), at least 0.65 inches (1.65 centimeters),about 0.7 inches (1.78 centimeters), less than 0.75 inches (1.9centimeters) and less than 1 inch (2.54 centimeters). For example, wherevessel 12 and tube 18 have cylindrical cross section, the differencebetween the outside diameter of vessel 12 and the inside diameter oftube 18 may be between 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) and 1 inch (2.54centimeters), between 0.65 inches (1.65 centimeters) and 0.75 inches(1.9 centimeters), or about 0.7 inches (1.78 centimeters). In someembodiments, all outer surfaces of vessel 12 are spaced apart fromopposed inner surfaces of tube 18 by one or more of: at least 0.5 inches(1.27 centimeters), at least 0.65 inches (1.65 centimeters), about 0.7inches (1.78 centimeters), less than 0.75 inches (1.9 centimeters) andless than 1 inch (2.54 centimeters).

In some embodiments, the ratio of the cross-sectional area of gap space24 to the cross-sectional area of the interior of tube 18 is between 0.2and 0.4. In some embodiments, the ratio of the cross-sectional area ofgap space 24 to the cross-sectional area of the interior of tube 18 isbetween 0.25 and 0.35. In a particular example embodiment, the ratio ofthe cross-sectional area of gap space 24 to the cross-sectional area ofthe interior of tube 18 is 0.3.

Some advantages of the invention are demonstrated by the performance ofa non-limiting prototype embodiment. The prototype embodiment hasconstruction generally similar to apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3. Inthe prototype embodiment:

-   -   tube 18 comprises a clear, colorless Markrolon™ ET3227        polycarbonate tube having 4″ (10.2 cm) outside diameter, 8.5″        (21.6 cm) length and 0.1″ (2.5 mm) wall thickness;    -   vessel 12 comprises a 1 litre wide-mouth aluminium bottle with        black anodized finish made by SIGG USA Inc. of Stamford Conn.,        which bottle has 3.25″ (8.25 cm) outside diameter;    -   plug 20, collar 22, and case cap 26 are made from closed cell        polyurethane foam;    -   all but the mouth of vessel 12 is sealed inside case 16; and    -   gap space 24 comprises air.

The prototype embodiment weighs less than 460 grams.

In a first test of the prototype, approximately 500 ml of ice was placedin the vessel's chamber at room temperature, the vessel cap and case capclosed, and the apparatus placed in an outdoor environment with ambienttemperature of approximately 5 degrees centigrade and exposure to lowangle sunlight (12 h 00 to 14 h 00 at approximately 49 degrees latitudeon November 15th). After two hours, the vessel contained approximately400 ml of liquid water.

In a second test of the prototype, approximately 900 ml of ice wasplaced in the vessel's chamber at room temperature, the vessel cap andcase cap left open, and the apparatus placed in an indoor environmentwith ambient temperature of approximately 15 degrees centigrade and noexposure to sunlight. After six hours, the vessel containedapproximately 260 ml of liquid water.

Where a component is referred to above (e.g., a case, vessel, tube,plug, collar, recess, case cap, vessel cap, seal, band, etc.), unlessotherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a referenceto a “means”) should be interpreted as including as equivalents of thatcomponent any component which performs the function of the describedcomponent (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including componentswhich are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure whichperforms the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of theinvention.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to.” Where the context permits, words in theabove description using the singular or plural number may also includethe plural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in referenceto a list of two or more items, covers all of the followinginterpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of theitems in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

The above detailed description of example embodiments is not intended tobe exhaustive or to limit this disclosure and claims to the preciseforms disclosed above. While specific examples of, and examples for,embodiments are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of thetechnology, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

These and other changes can be made to the apparatus in light of theabove description. While the above description describes certainexamples of the technology, and describes the best mode contemplated, nomatter how detailed the above appears in text, the technology can bepracticed in many ways. As noted above, particular terminology used whendescribing certain features or aspects of the apparatus should not betaken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to berestricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of thesystem with which that terminology is associated. In general, the termsused in the following claims should not be construed to limit the systemto the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless theabove description section explicitly and restrictively defines suchterms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the technology encompasses notonly the disclosed examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicingor implementing the technology under the claims.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific examples ofapparatus have been described herein for purposes of illustration, butthat various modifications, alterations, additions and permutations maybe made without departing from the practice of the invention. Theembodiments described herein are only examples. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate that certain features of embodiments described hereinmay be used in combination with features of other embodiments describedherein, and that embodiments described herein may be practised orimplemented without all of the features ascribed to them herein. Suchvariations on described embodiments that would be apparent to theskilled addressee, including variations comprising mixing and matchingof features from different embodiments, are within the scope of thisinvention.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of theforegoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible inthe practice of this invention without departing from the spirit orscope thereof. For example:

-   -   Vessel 12 may have an interior lining, such as made from        non-toxic polymers, enamel, or the like, for example. Preferably        such lining has low thermal resistance (R).    -   Vessel 12 may comprise plug 20 (e.g., plug 20 may provide one or        more surfaces of vessel 12).    -   Vessel 12 may comprise collar 22 (e.g., collar 22 may provide        one or more surfaces of vessel 12).    -   Case 16 need not include plug 20 (e.g., the bottom of case 16        may be integral with the sidewall of case 16, and vessel 12 may        be suspended above the bottom of case 16 or spaced apart from        the bottom of case 16 by a spacer).    -   Case 16 need not include collar 22 (e.g., case 16 may be sealed        directly against vessel 12, such as by adhesive, heat bonding,        etc.).    -   Case 16 need not have a multi-part construction (e.g., case 16        may be of unitary construction).    -   Vessel cap 14 and case cap 26 may be provided as a single cap.

While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussedabove, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications,permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is thereforeintended that the following appended claims and claims hereafterintroduced are interpreted to include all such modifications,permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their truespirit and scope.

1. A portable bottle for storing consumable liquid for use athigh-altitude comprising: an inner container enclosed by an outercontainer, the outer container comprising a tube, a top portion and abottom portion, the top and bottom portion each comprising a relativelymore resiliently deformable material than the tube; wherein at least oneof the top portion and the bottom portion is configured to space apartan outer wall of the inner container from an inner wall of the tube byat least 0.5 inches; wherein both the top portion and the bottom portioncomprise thermally insulative material; wherein the tube is configuredto transmit at least 85% of solar radiation over the spectrum from 400nm-1100 nm, and has a thermal conductivity less than 0.5 W/(m K);wherein the inner container has a thermal conductivity greater than thatof the tube and greater than 120 W/(m K); wherein the inner containercomprises a darkly colored outer surface; and whereby the outercontainer is configured to transmit solar radiation to the innercontainer, the inner container configured to convert solar radiationinto heat energy, and the inner container configured to conduct at leastsome of the heat energy to an interior of the inner container and to aconsumable fluid stored therein.
 2. Portable apparatus for storingconsumable liquid, the apparatus comprising: a case that is at leastpartially transmissive of solar radiation; and a vessel at leastpartially enclosed within the case, the vessel having greater thermalconductivity than the case.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein athermal conductivity of a wall of the vessel is greater than 120 W/(mK).
 4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a wall of the case isconfigured to transmit at least 85% of solar radiation over the spectrumfrom 400 nm-1100 nm.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a thermalconductivity of a wall of the case is less than 0.5 W/(m K). 6.Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a solar reflectance of an outersurface of the vessel is less than 20%.
 7. Apparatus according to claim2 wherein the vessel is more absorptive of solar radiation than thecase.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein an outer surface of thevessel is spaced apart from an opposed inner surface of the case by atleast 0.5 inches.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the case anda portion of the vessel enclosed within the case define a gap spacecomprising one or the other of air and a vacuum.
 10. Apparatus accordingto claim 9 wherein a ratio of a cross-sectional area of the gap space toa cross-sectional area of an interior of the vessel is between 0.2 and0.4.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the vessel is at leastpartially sealed within the case.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 2wherein the case and the vessel have a circular cross section and aratio of an outside diameter of the vessel to an inside diameter of thecase is less than 0.9.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein allouter surfaces of the vessel are spaced apart from opposed innersurfaces the case by at least 0.5 inches.
 14. Apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein the vessel has a mouth accessible from outside the casecommunicating with an interior of the vessel, and wherein the mouth ofthe vessel extends outside the case.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 14comprising a cap configured to close the mouth of the vessel. 16.Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the case comprises a tube and acollar closing an end of the tube against the vessel.
 17. Apparatusaccording to claim 16 wherein the collar is relatively more susceptibleto transverse deformation than the tube.
 18. Apparatus according toclaim 16 wherein the collar extends past the end of the tube. 19.Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the case comprises a tube and aplug closing an end of the tube.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19wherein the plug is relatively more susceptible to transversedeformation than the tube.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 19 whereinthe plug extends past the end of the tube.
 22. Apparatus according toclaim 19 wherein an end of the vessel is supported by the plug, and arecess defined in the plug laterally confines the end of the vessel. 23.Apparatus according to claim 2 comprising a removable, thermallyinsulative cap, the cap configured to insulate a portion of the vesselnot enclosed within the case.
 24. Apparatus according to claim 2 whereinthe vessel comprises aluminum.
 25. Apparatus according to claim 24wherein the case comprises polycarbonate.
 26. Portable apparatus forstoring consumable liquid, the apparatus comprising: a case comprising:a hard, transparent plastic tube, a deformable plug sealing a first endof the tube, and a deformable collar sealing a second end of the tube;and a metal vessel at least partially enclosed within the case, thevessel sealed against the collar and having a mouth accessible fromoutside the case communicating with an interior of the vessel. 27.Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the vessel and tube have acircular cross-section and are co-axial with one another.
 28. Apparatusaccording to claim 27 wherein opposed surfaces of the vessel and tubeare spaced apart by at least 0.8 inches.
 29. Apparatus according toclaim 27 wherein a ratio of the outside diameter of the vessel to aninside diameter of the tube is between 0.8 and 0.85.
 30. Portableapparatus for storing consumable liquid, the apparatus comprising: acase; and a vessel at least partly insulated by the case, wherein thecase is configured to transmit at least a portion of solar radiationincident thereon to the vessel, and wherein the vessel is configured toconvert at least a portion of the solar radiation transmitted theretovia the case into heat energy, and to conduct at least some of the heatenergy to an interior of the vessel.